Kristopher Klain of The Capital Grille accepts trophy for the longest ride from Molly Hughes of CBS4, left, and Kelly Ford of KYGO. Photo by Steve Peterson, Special to The Denver Post

Steaks served at The Capital Grille are as prime as they can be; so why was honcho Kristopher Klain kicking the tires on a mechanical bull the other night?
Relax. It’s because he’d entered a contest to see who could stay aboard the bucking monster the longest — a contest he eventually won. His 50.1-second ride left the 19 other competitors in the dust.
The ride was part of the fifth Country Western Showcase, and raised $27,000 for Concerts For Kids. It was held at the Grizzly Rose with KYGO personality Kelly Ford serving as mistress of ceremonies. Founded by Christie and Walter Isenberg, Concerts For Kids is a nonprofit organization that raises money for local children’s charities, especially those focusing on health and education. It also hosts a number of community service programs and operates Tiri’s Garden in downtown Denver. CFK also was a recipient of the 2010 Martin Luther King Social Responsibility Award.
In addition to the bull-riding contest, the Country Western Showcase featured music by Reckless Kelly and Coles Whalen; appearances by Denver Broncos Cheerleaders Amanda Lofland and Liz Harris and firefighters Parker Wise, Cody McGinnis and Nick Fox, whose images appear on the 2010 Fired Up For Kids calendar.
This year’s bull riding contestants were Chandler Smith, director of The Denver Post’s annual Ride the Rockies; Dale DeLeo of Europa Escape Landscaping; Dan Kummet of Axess Communications; David Fine, Denver City Attorney; Dustin Kammerer from HOT 107.1; George Stein of the Dream Big Day Camp; Janelle Spahn of Colorado Sports Rent; Janice Sinden of Colorado Concern; John Greenwood of Proxy Partners; and Lori Baker of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck.
Also, Marc Spritzer of CoBiz Financial; Michael VanGilder of the VanGilder Companies; Mike Morrissey of Gallegos Masonry; Mike Roque of the Denver Office of Strategic Partnerships; Peter Ore of Live Nation; RD Sewald, director of legislative services/council liaison for Mayor John Hickenlooper; Todd Tantillo of Fitness Together; and Zac Davis of HOT 107.1.